She swore to defy him to her dying breath... But passion blurs the line between love and hate...

The bluest blood and the hardest heart... at least when it comes to marriage... The daughter of a duke and granddaughter of a king, Adele of Vannes was bartered at birth in a marriage treaty for the sole purpose of producing a royal heir. When her philandering husband is slain by Norse marauders, she is coerced to wed again in order to protect her home and her people. Adele knows that her beloved Brittany needs a strong hand to survive, but how can she ever reconcile her bitterness and hatred with the desire she feels for her mortal enemy?She’s the jewel he seeks for his Breton crown...A Barbarian bent on building a dynasty, Valdrik Vargr, ‘the Norse Wolf,’ is renowned for both his bravery in battle and shrewdness in statecraft. Setting his sights on claiming the kingdom of Brittany, he knows that siring sons from royal blood would solidify his hold, but the woman he would claim as his queen refuses to have him. Will he fuel her hatred by taking her to his bed, or will the man who strikes terror in the hearts of men be reduced to wooing his bride?

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I was looking for historical romance and I got this. I read it in one sitting because it was fast-paced and Victoria Vane writes masterfully, I love all her novels.

Once again, the magnificent author wowed me with her versatility whether it's historical or contemporary romance.

There are some scenes here that others may not like but are true based on historical accounts. The Norsemen's way was to rape, raid, and pillage but Adéle was mistreated by her husband on their wedding night. Despite that, she held her head up high, even when she was humiliated repeatedly by the scattered bastards, she still has this regal bearing.

Vladrik wasn't who she expected. After all, her brother and father were killed by Norsemen so it automatically put him in league with his fellowmen. Guilty by association. Vladrik was challenged by Adéle's ferocity in all things.

Their wedding feast was somewhat of a turning point because both their guards were down and they were able to appreciate each other, that maybe things could work out after all.

There was a bit of a trial after they made love but we have a cliffhanger here which I'm looking forward to reading this year.

I've never delved into a Viking romance until now, and clearly I've been missing out! Valdrik was a force to be reckoned with, and watching his interaction with the Duchess Adele stole my heart. This novella provides one with the perfect amount of romance, heat, and action rolled into one. I hated what happened to Adele at the hands of her late husband, and was glad to see Valdrik show her respect, honor, and love. I also enjoyed the pace of the story. I was pleased that despite its short length, the plot was able to unfold without feeling rushed. Even more, I can't wait to read about Ivar and Bjorn, Valdrik's brothers. They were amusing, and I can tell that Ivar and Emma will be a treat! I loved the quotations at the beginning of each chapter, I feel that Victoria placed those with perfection, and each complimented the following passage well. I must also comment on how she delivered the scenery to me. The fight scenes, the landscape, and everything in between brought my imagination to life. I was also surprised to be left hanging by Bjorn at the end, and now I MUST get to the next novella as quickly as possible to see what happens! This novella is most definitely a success, I loved every second.

Breton Wolfe: World of de Wolfe Pack (The Wolves of Brittany #1)By: Victoria Vane3/5 stars

Adele of Vannes had her future mapped out for her from the day of her birth. The daughter of aristocracy and the granddaughter of a King, she was betrothed to Rudalt, the son of the King of Brittany. Their marriage was not idyllic or even enjoyable. When the Norse arrive, she knows of their brutal reputations, since both her father & a brother were killed in combat.

Valdrik Vargr, known as the Norse Wolfe, has become weary of raiding and the uncertainty of the life it offers. He wants to settle, take a wife and leave heirs to his name. After conquering Rudalt and Vannes, he knows it’s in his best interest to take a wife of royal blood and sire sons, so that they will have the top claim to the throne even after he dies.

I liked the premise of this novella, but I really felt like I was missing out on so much. Everything is on such an accelerated time table, that there was no room for character development, their developing relationship or even the drama. This novella felt like it was just the outline for a full novel, the bare bones. We’re missing the descriptives, the feelings, the emotions, etc. It would have been so much better if it had been longer.

There will be 2 other novellas and will be about Valdrik’s half-brothers.

This has already been discussed in previous reviews so I am not presenting any new info when I state that there is a rape scene. I object to rape when it is presented as the euphemism of "reluctant sex" where the female falls in love with her abuser (eye roll). But this author makes it clear that rape is a repugnant act done by sexual predator. It is not portrayed as something to tillilate us or done in a gratuitous fashion. It is closer to the reality of what I have seen in the ER as a health care provider; the victims are damaged and repulsed by the perpetrators. For that, kudos to the author.

The male character is, on the whole, a kind and vulnerable male considering the norms of the time. Of course, this treatment of women would not be acceptable for today's standards; even though today's standards need further improvement. The author would have to stay within the norms of the time for the story to be believable. Overall, I enjoyed the story as I have many of her stories.